Exercises Military Diplomacy

China-Russia 'Joint Sea-2026' Joint Exercise Enters Maritime Exercise Phase

中俄“海上联合-2026”联合演习进入海上演练阶段

PLA Daily (解放军报) 9 July 2026

Summary

The China-Russia Joint Sea-2026 exercise transitioned from shore-based planning to live-force, live-fire maritime operations on July 9, with warships including the Chinese missile destroyer Kaifeng and Russian missile cruiser Varyag departing Qingdao for exercises covering joint reconnaissance, air defense, anti-surface strike, and submarine rescue in nearby sea and airspace. The shore-based phase included command war-gaming, tactical coordination, and professional exchanges at the Naval Submarine Academy focused on submarine rescue technology and equipment development — the last of which extends a documented pattern of PLA-Russian Navy technical engagement on undersea warfare that goes beyond the symbolic interoperability framing typical of joint exercise coverage. The inclusion of submarine rescue as a named exercise subject alongside offensive strike tasks raises the question of whether this iteration is being used to advance specific PLA undersea capability gaps under bilateral cover.

Translation

Xinhua News Agency, aboard the Kaifeng, July 9 (Reporters Li Bingxuan, Li Jie) — The shore-based planning phase of the China-Russia 'Joint Sea-2026' joint exercise has been successfully completed, and the exercise formally entered the maritime exercise phase on the 9th. Participating warships from both sides cast off from a naval port in Qingdao and set sail for the designated sea area to conduct live-force, live-fire maritime exercises.

During the shore-based planning phase, the exercise's joint directing element and joint command element organized multiple rounds of command war-gaming and tactical coordination. Both sides agreed on the key points of operational actions and exercise rules, and refined maritime coordination procedures and contingency response plans.

Since the opening ceremony on the 6th, Chinese and Russian participating officers and soldiers have conducted a number of shore-based exchange activities. At the Naval Submarine Academy, officer and soldier representatives and relevant experts from both sides held professional exchanges on topics including the development of submarine rescue technology, equipment development, and maritime training. At a naval port pier, the Chinese side opened the missile destroyer Kaifeng and the Russian side opened the missile cruiser Varyag for visits, inviting the other side's personnel to board and learn about the ships' daily training and equipment management. Officers and soldiers from both sides also held a basketball friendly match, a reception, and other activities.

According to the plan, the maritime exercise phase will be conducted in the sea and airspace near Qingdao, with subjects including joint reconnaissance, air defense and anti-missile operations, anti-surface strike, and joint submarine rescue.

Original Chinese

新华社开封舰7月9日电（记者李秉宣、李杰）中俄“海上联合-2026”联合演习港岸筹划阶段圆满完成，9日正式进入海上演练阶段。双方参演舰艇从青岛某军港解缆起航前往预定海域，开展海上实兵实弹演练。港岸筹划阶段，演习联合导演部、联合指挥部组织多轮指挥推演和战术协同。双方商定了作战行动要点、演练规则，细化了海上协同流程和应急处置预案。 6日开幕以来，中俄参演官兵开展了多项港岸交流活动。在海军潜艇学院，双方官兵代表和相关专家就援潜救生技术发展、装备建设、海上训练等议题展开专业交流。在某军港码头，中方开放导弹驱逐舰开封舰，俄方开放“瓦良格”号导弹巡洋舰，邀请对方官兵登舰参观，了解舰艇日常训练和装备管理情况。双方官兵还开展了篮球友谊赛、招待会等活动。根据计划，海上演练阶段在青岛附近海空域进行，设置联合侦察、防空反导、对海打击、联合援潜救生等课目。